2014

barri eri sl andscenter@gmai l . com/ 757 - 678-5550/ www. barri eri sl andscenter. com

Heart of the Community, Soul of a Culture


!
The Barrier Islands Center is proud to announce the upcoming premiere of its newest
documentary: Watermen. The film explores the history and culture surrounding fishing in the
waters of Virginias seaside and Chesapeake Bay.
Academy Award-nominated Director James Spione has once again
created a beautifully textured documentary that gives voice to the people,
lifestyles and traditions that make up the unique fabric of the Eastern
Shore of Virginia. Offering intimate glimpses into the lives of the
hardworking men and women who struggle to make their living on the
water, Watermen also traces generations of families and communities
which have evolved around fishing. Despite hardships and an uncertain
future, the film richly captures the fierce pride and enduring optimism of
the Eastern Shores watermen.
Welcome! Many of you know how much I love to welcome a new visitor here
at the BIC. With the upcoming release of Watermen, I think back to the
providential events that brought us together with James Spione, the talented
director of all three films, seven years ago...Jim was spending summer
vacation with his in-laws at their home in Willis Wharf and had registered his
son Sam for our new Pirate Summer Camp. After dropping Sam off, Jim
decided to look around the museum. We think it was the best decision hes
ever made.
Jim and I began chatting about the BIC, the Eastern Shore and the world.
Gradually, I learned that Jim had created a documentary film about his familys
dairy farm in New York. I could also tell that he had fallen in love with the rugged beauty of the
Shore. Light bulbs began to pop in my head, so I quickly brought Sally Dickinson, our Education
Director, out to meet him.
After Jim left that day, Sally and I googled his film, American Farm. As we suspected, it was
beautiful, and we hatched our plan. Sally had been working on oral histories of Hog Island, and
she had a hunch that video could be a perfect medium to capture the pride of place and precious
memories of the last inhabitants of Hog Island for posterity. We pitched the idea to Jim, and within
3 months, he had completed the interviews and was editing what would become Our Island Home.
The movie surpassed our wildest imaginations. We thought that by capturing the oral history
vignettes on film, we could add depth to our exhibits. But we had no idea that the film would strike
a chord with so many people, including PBS TV stations and their viewers. And so, we went back
to Jim for a second film, Spirit of the Bird. Since then, Jim has been nominated for an Academy
Award for another documentary, but has still found time to work with us on Watermen. We hope
youll enjoy this third documentary just as much as the earlier two.
Meanwhile, Ill continue to greet visitors here at the BIC. You just never know who will step foot in
here next
Hope to see yall soon,


The Music:
Wayne Henderson and Helen White:

Wayne Henderson is a musical legend known worldwide for both his lightning-
fast pinch picking guitar style and the beautiful guitars, mandolins, and banjos
he crafts in his shop in tiny Rugby, Virginia. Even Eric Clapton had to wait
seven years to get one of Waynes guitars! Wayne has performed throughout
the United States and the world, holds multiple first place finishes at the Galax
Fiddlers Convention guitar competition, and is honored each year at the
Wayne C. Henderson Music Festival and Guitar Competition. In 1995, he
received the National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Award, the
nations greatest honor for those who practice traditional arts.



Helen White is an award-winning singer, multi-instrumentalist
and composer. She is the founder and Executive Director of the
Junior Appalachian Musicians program which introduces
Appalachian children to their musical heritage.

Wayne and Helen have been performing together for 15 years,
with Helen providing a perfect backup to Waynes amazing
guitar abilities. As a duo or as part of string bands, the pair has
played at events sponsored by the National Center for
Traditional Arts and the Presidential Inaugural Folk Festival.
Art and Music on the Farm
Saturday, May 24
th
from 10-4 p.m.
Cost: $5 for adults. Under 18 yrs. FREE.
Rain or shine - Please, no coolers.
Start off your summer with a glorious celebration of Virginias
rich heritage of art and music at one of the loveliest venues on
the Eastern Shore. The Art and Music on the Farm festival
offers fine art and treasures from local artists and artisans as
well as traditional roots music played by celebrated musicians
from across Virginia, all in an inviting, family-friendly setting.
Sip wine, peruse the eye-catching art, delve into the history of
Virginia musical styles, enjoy funnel cakes, or plan a fun
summer garden. You will find something to tickle your fancy!
Theres even an art activity for the children!
Everyone will revel in the toe-tapping, hand-clapping sounds of
mountain stringband, chantey singing, folk, gospel and
bluegrass from five highly acclaimed Virginia bands. And there is also an exciting opportunity to participate
in intimate workshops hosted by the performers and learn even more with interpretations by music
historian Gregg Kimball and state folklorist Jon Lohman. The BIC is able to bring these high caliber
musicians thanks to the Virginia Commission for the Arts and National Endowment for the Arts Challenge
America Fast-Track grants.
In addition to the music, the Farm will be filled with some of the finest art in the region: over 40 artists and
artisans will have their paintings and crafts for sale. There will also be flowers, plants, food and beverages
(including local wine, beer, soft drinks and iced coffee) available for purchase. So mark your calendars and
bring your friends and family for a fun-filled day of delights on the Farm!

Art & Music on the Farm cont...


Family of Praise:
Family of Praise is a gospel group formed in 2012 under the direction of
Ms. Cheryl Maroney-Beaver, granddaughter of Maggie Ingram. The
ensemble has performed at numerous churches, festivals and community
events, including backup performances for Maggie Ingram & the
Ingramettes. Nominated to participate in the Virginia Folklife Program,
Family of Praise is committed to community involvement and personal
development through praise and worship.
Springfield Exit:
Linda and David Lay, along with David McLaughlin,
make up Springfield Exit, one of Virginia's outstanding singer
trios. The trio performs original songs in addition to their own
arrangements of old standards, traditional songs and
instrumentals pulled from country, blues, swing, bluegrass,
and folk. They have performed to audiences from Vermont
to Washington State, and on stages at the Library of
Congress, the Birchmere, Floydfest, Winchester's
Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, the General Jackson
Showboat, the Wildhorse Saloon, and the Opryland Hotel.
Northern Neck Chantey Singers:
A chantey is a song African-American fishermen used to
sing as they worked along the eastern seaboard decades
ago. Like many work songs, it's a tradition that went by the
wayside when machines replaced manual labor. Today its
being kept alive by a group of aging former fishermen in the
northern neck of Virginia, the strip of land between the
Rappahannock and Potomac Rivers. The men, all in their
70s and 80s now, pass on that musical heritage to the
delight of audiences.
Gregg Kimball and Mary Smith:
Dr. Gregg Kimball combines skills as a musician,
historian, and published author to develop compelling
programs and presentations on Americas traditional
musical forms, such as gospel, old-time, and blues music.
He has performed at many festivals and concert venues
including the Washington D.C. Blues Festival, the
International Blues Challenge in Memphis, and with the
Richmond Symphony.
Mary Smith is a traditional singer from central Virginia,
and is co-founder of Richmond Folk Music, a monthly
concert series dedicated to traditional folk music.
Both Gregg and Mary take a special interest in the history and context of roots music.
Art & Music on the Farm cont...


Festival Emcee - Jon Lohman:
Jon is Program Director of the Virginia Folklife Program, part of the Virginia
Foundation for the Humanities, based in Charlottesville. As the state folklorist, he
works to document, present, and support Virginias rich cultural folkways through
a variety of mediums, including audio and video documentation, exhibit design,
public programming, and project development. He has presented at numerous
festivals, including Floydfest, the Smithsonian Folklife festival, the national Folklife
Festival, Merlefest, the Blue Ridge Folklife festival, and the American Folklife
Festival.
As of April 8th...
Artists and Artisans
Robert Bilicki Marty Burgess Mary Ann Clarke David Crane Diana Davis Buck Doughty
Linda Ennis Gertraud Fendler Ann Hayden Susan Henderson Jane Kafigian Barbara Myers
Bill Mytnik Thelma Peterson Maurice Spector Ten Good Sheep Kylis Winborne
Vesna Zidovek and
Food and Beverage
Chatham Vineyards Wines
Eastern Shore Coastal Roasting Co. Iced Coffee
Wendell Distributing Co. Beer
KitchenSync Catering by Louise Oliver
Otter Creek Catering by Debby Kozak
Vendors
Appleseed Porch and Garden
Rita Hilton (flowers)
Tankard Nurseries (plants donated for sale)
Thank you to our 2014 Event Sponsors
Accomack Title and Settlement, Inc.
Adair Tyler - SunTrust Investments
Atlantic Animal Hospital
BoJangles - Onley
Branscome Eastern Shore
Burger Landscape & Design
Chatham Vineyards
Davis Disposal
Drs. Savage, Sabol & Visser - Orthodontics
Eastern Shore Adventures
Eastern Shore Animal Hospital
Eastern Shore Events and Rentals
Eastern Shore Nursery of Virginia
Hermitage Farms Nursery
H.W. Drummond, Inc.
The Insurance Market, Inc.
Leatherbury-Broache & Co., PC
Rayfields Pharmacy
Sharp Energy
Shooting Point Oyster Company, LLC
State Farm Insurance - Bart Holland
Tidewater Insulators
Tommy Arnold, Inc.
Weichert Realtors, Mason-Davis
Wendell Distributing Co., Inc.
WHRO
Willie C. Randall of Edward Jones
Bay Creek
ESLAND
H.M. Terry Co., Inc.
J.C. Walker Bros., Inc.
Jones Zittrain Wealth Management Group of
Merrill Lynch
Ocean Cove Seafood
Tankard Nurseries
***
Michael L. Sterling - Vandeventer Black, LLP
PNC Bank
Shore Bank
Wilbanks, Smith & Thomas
Wolcott River Gates


Sally
Learning Here Feels a Lot Like Fun is more than a slogan at the Barrier Islands Center.
Making education a joyful process lies at the heart of everything we do. Looking back on the winter
happenings, the BIC Coffee Hour Lecture series featured two amazing opportunities. These hour-long
programs are FREE, and I encourage you to come, learn and enjoy.
Laurie Klingle gave a presentation during the chilly days of January about
the history of the orangery, including the renovation of the one at Eyre Hall. As
we nibbled her homemade citrus cookies, it was exciting to learn how people
in years past built orangeries as a way to enjoy refreshing and healthy citrus
through the winter.
In March, musicians Gregg Kimball and Mary Smith presented a rousing
program of Irish music. They had the whole audience singing loudly and
swaying to their songs. We could have easily fit in at a pub in Dublin!

I also get inspired each time I walk out to the new 1910 Education building,
which is used most days of the week. It offers wonderful flexibility and allows
us to do more than we ever dreamed of, including art exhibits, community group gatherings, and our on-
going My First Field Trip Pre-K art, history, manners and music program..
A four-year-old girl coming for her first of
four classes this semester looked up and
said with wide, excited eyes:
Did you make this building for us?
I could honestly answer back,
Yes, we certainly did!
Laurie Klingle


Come Learn With Us!
Flatfooting Dance Workshop
This FREE class taught by Bill McGlothlin, with live
accompaniment by Lynn Williams on the fiddle and banjo
and Tom Wescott on the guitar, will get the whole family
ready for our May 24 Art and Music on the Farm festival!
Participants will learn flatfooting, an old time dance style
closely associated with traditional string band music in
that the dancers feet barely leave the floor. This dance
style is a popular and important part of Virginias musical
heritage, particularly on the eastern slopes of the Blue
Ridge Mountains. For a toe-tapping, swinging good time,
bring your kids and learn some new dance moves!
Tuesdays April 29, May 6, 13, 20
6-7 p.m. for children and adults
FREE!
Barrier Islands Center
Speaker Series

"Beyond Organic: What is Biodynamic
Gardening?" with Stewart Lundy of Perennial
Roots Farm. Our June lecture will introduce biodynamic
gardening and farming principles, such as planting and
tending vegetables by the moon, the farm as a living
organism, and biodynamic herbs for health and nutrition.
Created by Waldorf School of Education founder
Rudolph Steiner, biodynamic agriculture has been
enthusiastically implemented by wineries from California
to France.
Guest speaker Stewart Lundy founded a biodynamic
permaculture farm, Perennial Roots, with Natalie
McGill in 2010. Committed to long-term sustainable
practices and perennial plants, they practice a synthesis
of biodynamic rhythms and permaculture concepts,
encouraging and fostering diversity in plants, animals
and wildlife throughout the farm.
Friday, June 20 at 10:30 a.m.
FREE!
CPR Class
Class participants will learn primary and
secondary First Aid for adults/infants, ADI,
and CPR with instructor Andy Dunton.
Class size is limited to 12 people.
Tuesday, June 24th
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Cost: $40
(covers all books and materials).
Childrens Fish Art Workshop
with Bobby Bridges. Young artists
and craftsmen (ages 7 and up) will
be supplied a solid color fish body by
artist Bobby Bridges that they will turn
into a creative masterpiece by adding
fins, tails, eyes, paint detail and more.
The power of their young imaginations
will produce a work of fish art ready to
swim the Eastern Shore breezes in their
own backyard or adorn that perfect spot
in their room. Class size limited to 10
students.
Tues., July 22 and
Wed., July 23 from 2-4 p.m.
Cost: $75 per student.


Five-Day
Summer Camps!
Pirates, Princes and Princesses Camp
(ages 3-5 years)
June 23 - June 27th, 9:00 a.m. - Noon
pre-registration required
Cost: $125
Calling all pirates, princes and princesses to join
us as we visit mysterious lands. Off we go to days
when pirates ruled the seas and royalty ruled the
land. We will make castles, crowns, sea monsters,
pirate maps and more. Arrrrgggg, your majesty!
This Abrakadoodle camp is filled with a bounty of
games, activities, music and creative art
experiences for our noble princes, princesses and
sea-faring pirates!

Art Rocks! Camp
(ages 5-9 years)
July 14th - July 18th, 9:00 a.m. - Noon
pre-registration required
Cost: $125
The stage is set for rock artists everywhere! Art
Rocks combines fun music and energetic art for a
wildly creative adventure. Campers will make
musical instruments, learn about rhythm and
create some music of their own! They'll design a
poster promoting a concert, as well as a unique
label for a new CD. These rock artists will create
their own rock art, design mystifying paintings to
music and try their hand at melodic action
painting. So come into the spotlight for a rocking
good time!

Food, Glorious Food! Camp
(ages 7-12 years)
Aug. 11th - Aug. 15th, 9:00 a.m. - Noon
pre-registration required
Cost: $125
Get your spoon, paintbrush, and chocolate syrup
ready - we're going to create art! From cupcake
design to mosaics with food to chocolate syrup
painting - it's all about the wonderful wacky world
of food art! We'll even cook! (No peanuts or
peanut oils will be used.)

Call the Barrier Islands Center today
to register your child for camp!
757.678.5550
We're excited about what we've been able
to do, and we couldn't have done it without
membership support!
Become a Member TODAY!
Membership Types

Individual........................................$25
Family..............................................$50
Sustaining...........................................$100
Business..............................................$200
Sponsor...............................................$500
Patron..............................................$1,000

Name:
Address:

Telephone:
E-Mail:
Amount Enclosed:
Please fill out this form and return with payment to:
The Barrier Islands Center
PO Box 206, Machipongo, VA 23405.
Or you can join online at www.barrierislandscenter.com
Contact Information

PO Box 206, Machipongo, VA 23405
757.678.5550
barrierislandscenter@gmail.com
Laura Vaughan, Executive Director
Sally Dickinson, Director of Education
Kristen Dennis, Director of Operations
Monika Bridgforth, Director of Development


History Sleuthing

This intriguing ring is hand-carved
from a single piece of ivory! It
came from a local household and
is believed to have been worn by
someone who brought here from
Africa on the slave trading ships
centuries ago. We are asking
anyone who might have insights
into its history, to call Annie Hess
in our museum acquisitions
department. Many thanks to Mr.
Steve Graham for donating this
very unique piece of Eastern
Shore history.

Those wily Hog Island sheep are at it again!

The Barrier Islands Center will debut a second illustrated childrens
book this summer, The Hog Island Sheep in Red, White, and Ewe.
This story features the 4
th
of July baseball game and picnic held
annually on Hog Island in the late 1920s. Author Andrew Barbour
once again creates a clever and entertaining tale using the Hog
Island sheep as comical protagonists while drawing on coastal
history and traditions. Children and adults alike will be captivated by
the storyline and the vibrant original paintings by artist Cameron
Waff.

These engaging books are a natural educational tool which highlight
important elements of the coastal heritage that the Barrier Islands
Center seeks to preserve. Visitors to the museum can explore the
Hog Island picnic exhibit, complete with original recipes, which
inspired this story.
The hardcover books will be available for purchase for $19.99 in late
June at the BIC.
Dogs on the Farm
Dogs on the Farm Dog Obedience and K9 Nose Works classes
are taught by Beth Ann Sabo,
Certified Professional Dog Trainer and Associate Nose Work Instructor.
Pre-registration is required. Please contact Beth Ann directly at
bethann@easternshoredog.com for dates and times.

Basic Obedience: Learn to communicate with your dog more effectively, resulting in a stronger bond
and more fun. You will help your dog learn the foundations of obedience: focus and attention, mouth
manners, control (sit, down), introduce safety behaviors (come, wait, stay), and manners (polite leash
walking, greetings). This is where your dogs education starts. No prerequisites - any dog, any age.
Introduction to K9 Nose Work: Join this fun searching activity and new dog sport that any dog (and
any person) can do. This is a foundation class to learn the game, develop your dogs drive, and start to
learn how to read your dog. You can take this as a stand-alone class to learn a new activity for your dog,
or use it as a springboard to testing and competition. This is not an obedience class, but does not
interfere with obedience training. Its a great way to spend time with your dog and enjoy his problem-
solving and searching abilities - and its fun! No prerequisites - any dog, any age.


Spotlight on: Miriam Riggs

Visitors to the Barrier Islands Center often ask about the stunning
painted floorcloth in the entrance foyer. The designer, local
artisan Miriam Riggs, is highly regarded for creating these hand-
painted rugs, as well as her meticulous historical research, and
her renderings of local flora and fauna in floorcloth and mural
designs. In fact, she just taught a sold-out Floorcloth Painting
class here at the BIC last month.

Few people know that Miriam is the creative
genius responsible for many of the BICs inspired and unusual exhibits,
including the Cobb Island Hotel exhibit, the Hog Island exhibit with its paper
mach picnic and the eye-catching Oyster Shucking exhibit, among others.
We also love Miriams ability to elevate some of the most mundane objects to
high art. For instance, Miriam transformed inexpensive white window shades
into custom window treatments in the new Education Building. Plans are in
the works for Miriam to bring her design magic to update our Almshouse,
Trapping, and Market Hunting exhibits (as funding and time permits).


The BIC is incredibly fortunate to have a talented local artist like Miriam to interpret the history of
the Barrier Islands Center. It is yet another point of pride that makes us unique in the landscape of
museums and cultural centers. We recently interviewed Miriam about her collaboration with us.

BIC: How did you first become interested in the Barrier Islands Center?
MR: I am passionate about the rich history of the Eastern Shore. Ive spent over 35 years studying
Eastern Shore architecture and methods of historic painting. This is largely through direct
exploration and repair of old houses. The Barrier Islands Center provides such welcoming
buildings, grounds, and comfortable atmosphere for exploring the Shores heritage. I felt right at
home there the first time I walked in the front door.

BIC: Can you tell us about your creative process and
approach?
MR: A big part of the story I strive to tell at the BIC is about
the ingrained strength and character of Eastern Shore people
who have adapted to an often harsh and unpredictable
environment. This coastal culture has endured for centuries;
its foundation in living close to the earth holds many truths
which still apply today. I want to create exhibits which draw
visitors into that rich past.

BIC: What do you enjoy most about your partnership with the BIC?
MR: The open-mindedness and innovative nature of the BIC staff has made it possible for me to
get very creative in some of the exhibits Ive developed. Often when Im working on an exhibit, Ill
start out with just a glimmer of a concept and a few artifacts. Then the BIC staff members may
begin engaging visitors about what the goal is, and more local treasures will be brought in by
excited donors. Many times there are colorful stories that go along with those treasures. So the
wealth of the past knowledge keeps building on itself through the exhibits. Thats one of the most
rewarding parts of my work there.


BIC Baby!

Rowan Dell
Our Eastern Shore:
Strawberries
A fondly remembered glory
of the Eastern Shore was the
sight of farm after farm of
strawberry fields in late
spring. Strawberries were
one of the first big money
crops of the agricultural year. Unfortunately, this is no
longer the situation.
The berries used to be packaged and freighted to
markets in huge quantities. Today, you might be able to
purchase a small basket from a private garden - if you
are lucky.
Old time residents will recall long rows of plants and
stooped harvesters with quart sized baskets made of
very thin wood. The fragrance of the fruit in the early
morning dew and mild sunshine was truly delightful.
There would be awning covered stands throughout a
large field. The pickers bought their quarts to these
stands for a tally. Photographs taken in the 1950s near
Daugherty in Accomack County show volunteer ladies-
mostly farmers wives and neighbors managing the
tallies and the correct amount of berries in each basket.
Their heads are covered in scarves; they seem to be
enjoying themselves - evidently a social event not to be
missed.
Of course, these ladies would make their own preserves.
But best of all was strawberry shortcake. If you use
those little yellow cups and commercial topping from the
store you havent had strawberry shortcake. The real
thing involves actual shortbread, homemade whipped
cream and several hours of refrigeration. Ahh
springtime!

This vignette was produced for Our Eastern Shore, a
joint project of the Barrier Islands Center and WHRO.
Funded in part by Virginia Foundation for the
Humanities, the 90-second vignettes explore the history
and culture of Virginias Eastern Shore and are available
as archived podcasts at whro.org.
Dates to Remember
Tuesdays, April 29, May 6, 13, 20, 6 - 7:00 p.m.
Flatootng Dance Workshop
***
Saturday, May 24th, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Art & Music on the Farm
***
Friday, June 20th, 10:30 a.m. - Noon
Beyond Organic:
What is Biodynamic Gardening?
***
Monday-Friday, June 23rd - 27th
9:00 a.m. - Noon
Pirates, Princes and Princesses Camp
***
Tuesday, June 24th, 6 - 9:00 p.m.
CPR Class
***
Monday-Friday, July 14th - 18th
9:00 a.m. - Noon
Art Rocks! Camp
***
Tuesday, July 22nd & Wednesday, July 23rd
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Childrens Fish Art Workshop
***
Monday-Friday, August 11th - 15th
9:00 a.m. - Noon
Food, Glorious Food! Camp


PRSRT STD
Non-Proft Org.
US Postage
PAID
Permit #206
Machipongo, VA

23405
Barrier Islands Center PO Box 206 Machipongo, VA 23405
Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend
May 24th May 24th May 24th
10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
Join us for
Art & Music on the Farm!